West Florida eliminates No. 1 Tampa

Parker notches 14th save of season to tie Argonaut record

TAMPA, Fla. -- Defending national champion West Florida upset No. 1 Tampa in the second round at the NCAA South Region Tournament with a 7-4 victory to eliminate the Spartans. Argonaut closer Bobby Parker recorded his 14th save of the season to tie UWF’s single season saves record. With the win the Argos improve to 35-18 on the season.

The Argos struck for three runs with two outs in the top of the first inning. Garrett Flynn ripped a two RBI single up the middle and later came around to score on a Michael Tomlinson single to center field, putting UWF in front 3-0. West Florida tacked on another run in the top of the second inning to push its advantage to 4-0 when Taye Larry legged out a one-out double to get in scoring position and came around to score from second base on a Dustin Saulmon infield hit.

West Florida struck for three more runs in the top in the fourth inning. Back-to-back base hits to lead the inning off followed by a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt brought a run in and put runners on second and third with no one out. West Florida would plate the second run of the inning on a UT passed ball with the third run coming in on a Saulmon RBI ground out, putting UWF on top 7-0.

The Spartans struck for three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning on RBI hits by Zach Gawrych and Heath Pritchard to cut into the Argos lead 7-3. Tampa would tack on one more run in the bottom of the seventh inning on a solo home run by Eric Grabe but was not enough as West Florida would hold on to upset the top-ranked Spartans 7-4.

Drew Bryson got the start on the mound for UWF and tossed eight strong innings. Bryson allowed four runs on 10 hits while striking out two. Parker followed out of the bullpen and grabbed his 14 save of the season -- which ties UWF’s single season saves record held by Phil Lawhorn and Shane Waller -- by hurling a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts. Tampa’s Sean Bierman received the loss allowing seven runs on nine hits in four innings of work.